December, 2017
The award winning firm of chartered surveyors, Symonds & Sampson, held a stunning property auction at the Axminster Guildhall on 30th of November with a 100% success rate.
The highlight was Stoke Knapp Farm, Stoke Abbott offered in six lots and on the market for the first time in 119 years. The stone period farmhouse was in need of complete renovation with a courtyard of traditional and modern buildings. The surrounding farmland extending to about 130.39 acres (52.77ha) has superb panoramic views and includes the wonderfully atmospheric Waddon Roman Hill Fort located in one of the highest parts of Dorset, 213 ft.
At 2pm a packed Guildhall was almost mesmerised as the bidding got underway. You could hear a pin drop as the first lot sold for £1,520,000, 90% above the guide and this set the tone for the auction with all lots comfortably exceeding the guides by between 32 and 900%.
With fierce bidding between local buyers the guide for the whole farm of £1,070,000 was smashed with a record breaking sales price for Symonds & Sampson of £2,007,000.
Ross Willmington, a partner at Symonds & Sampson, said, rather understatedly, that the sale price had been “surprising”. He added: “There was considerable interest in the lots and determined bidding with telephone bidders from London and the south east vying against those in the room.”
Symonds & Sampson’s Devon spring property auction will be held on Thursday 12th April 2018, with entries closing at the end of January 2018. For advice, contact Ross Willmington on 01297 33122.
